Joint Committee Committee on Joint Agriculture and Natural Resources (01/22/2014)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Date:	01/22/2014	ATTENDANCE

Time:	09:50 AM to 11:26 AM	Becker	X
		Brophy	X
Place:	HCR 0107	Buck	X
		Coram	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Garcia	E
	Representative Fischer	Guzman	X
		Harvey	X
This Report was prepared by		Jones	X
	David Beaujon	Lebsock	X
		McLachlan	X
		Mitsch Bush	X
		Rankin	X
		Roberts	X
		Saine	*
		Scott	X
		Sonnenberg	X
		Tochtrop	*
		Vigil	X
		Fischer	X
		Schwartz	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Discussion of HB12-1278 Groundwater Study		Briefing only

09:51 AM -- HB 12-1278 Groundwater Study

Dr. Reagan Waskom, Colorado Water Institute, Colorado State University, explained that the General Assembly enacted House Bill 12-1278 concerning the South Platte river alluvial aquifer study. The act requires the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), in consultation with the State Engineer and the Colorado Water Institute, to conduct a comprehensive study to compile and evaluate available historical hydrologic data in the South Platte River Basin. The act directs the CWCB to contract with the Colorado Water Institute, to conduct the study independently.

09:58 AM

Dr. Waskom explained that the South Platte Basin is divided into water districts for administrative purposes and that the study focussed on water districts 2, 1, and 64. He distributed the report's executive summary (Attachment A) and discussed the history of groundwater development in the basin. He also identified depletions to the South Platte Basin caused by groundwater pumping and explained how these depletions have been replaced by augmentation water. He also discussed changes in the regulation of groundwater pumping and the effect of natural hydrological conditions on the amount of depletions that must be augmented. He explained how stream flows in the South Platte River have changed at the Julesburg gage from 1925 through 2012 and discussed factors affecting these flows.

140122 AttachA SECOND MTG.pdf

10:16 AM

Dr. Waskom described how groundwater levels in the South Platte River Basin are monitored and discussed how regulation of groundwater pumping may affect these groundwater levels in the basin.

10:26 AM

Dr. Waskom explained that the report included recommendations to mitigate localized high water table conditions, increase augmentation efficiency, and implement basin-wide management. He also discussed the need for additional storage to better manage water resources in the basin.

10:41 AM

Dr. Waskom responded to questions from the committee about the cost and benefits of controlling water consuming plants, called phreatophytes, in the basin; the amount of depletions that are owed to the South Platte Basin by groundwater users; and the impact of the September 2013 flood on groundwater levels in the basin. He also discussed the source and potential uses of excess water related to inefficient delivery of augmentation water. In response to a questions from the committee, he explained how a helicopter electromagnetic and magnetic survey may help water users and administrators better understand the South Platte Basin aquifer.

11:01 AM

Dr. Woskom discussed the report's recommendation to establish a pilot basin-wide management entity and explained how additional storage may help better manage water resources in the basin. He also responded to questions from the committee about the current augmentation requirements in water rights decrees and whether junior water users are required to provide more water than is required to offset injurious depletions.

The following persons testified on the study:

11:13 AM -- Glen Fritzler, Groundwater Coalition, discussed the problem of rising groundwater on his farm and responded to questions from the committee about when these impacts occur and the factors that may be causing the rising groundwater.

11:19 AM -- Robert Longenbaugh, representing himself, spoke in support of the findings of the HB 12-1278 study and discussed the history of ground water pumping regulation in Colorado. He also spoke in support of the establishment of a pilot basin-wide management entity.

11:26 AM

The committee adjourned.